Process for the preparation of condensation products of ethyl alcohol



Patented Apr. 22, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE wILLY'o. EERRMANN AND nmcn: IBAUM, or muivrcn, GERMANY, ASSIGNORS we con- SOR-TIUM FUR ELEKTROCHEMISCHE INDUSTRIE, OF MUNICH, GERMANY PROCESS FORT EE I PREP ARATION OF CONDENSATION PRODUCTS 01! E'IH'YL ALCOHOL 1T0 Drawing. Applicationfiled December 2,1927, Serial No. 237,332, and in GermanyDecember 18, 1926.

This invention has for its object the pro"- duction of reaction products from eth 1 alcohol and has for its particular object tile production of condensation compounds from 5 ethyl alcohol such as, for example, butanol.

We have found thatif ethyl alcohol is subjected to the action of certain catalysts at elevated temperatures, condensation and other reaction products can be obtained. The action of catalysts on ethyl alcohol to produce (L) the splitting out of water to form ethylene and, (2) sphtting out of, hydrogen to produce acetaldehyde is well known. I According to the work of Sabatier (La Catalyse en Chimie Organique 1920, p. 275) the nature of the decomposition depends on the catalyst used; these catalysts act mainly to split'out' water or hydrogen or both. We have foundthat each of these groups of catalysts can higher molecular weight. Of the catalysts mentioned by Sabatier, those which may be classed as actin chiefly .dehydrogen'ating catalysts, the oxi es and carbonates ofmanv ganese, magnesium, zinc, vanadium, iron, the alkaline earth metals barium, strontium, calcium and copper act especially well as condensation catalysts. In addition to the oxides and carbonates we have found that other compounds can also be used, e. g. alcoholates. The catalyst may also be a mixture of the above materials. 4

The condensation reaction can be carried out at elevated or ordinary pressures; preferably the alcohol is circulated at atmospheric pressure over a contact mass coated with the catalysts .to be used.

The reaction temperature for our results lies above thattemperature at which chiefly only the aldehyde or olefine formation of the prior art has been found to occur. For example, according to Sabatier the most suitable temperature for the aldehyde formation with the majority of the catalysts was below 350 C. with these catalysts then, our alcohol condensation reactions were found to occur at temperatures above 350 C. Preferably be used at suitable elevatad temperatures to condense the alcohol to compounds of we-operate at temperatures between 400 and produced 36 grams of acetaldehyde.

The rate of passage'of the ethyl alcohol vapor in contact with the catalyst may vary over a wide range, and we do not wish to be limited to any space velocity. We have found, however, that especially good results are secured if the alcohol vapors were passed at a rate, of about 0.5-2 kilograms of alcohol vapor per hour,per litre of occupied catalyst Example I A catalyst mass was first pre deposition of magnesia on woo charcoal by ared by the any of the .methods known-to the art. Two

litres of the granulated charcoal-containin catalyst were placed in aclosed vessel an heated to 420-4=30 Qeethyl alcohol vapor was ledthrough this catalyst at a rate of 500- 600 grams per hour. The ethyl alcohol can be vaporized by any suitable method exterior of the catalyst tube or vessel or as in this case by allowing it to drop into the heated tube. In a period of 7 hours there was recovered by condensation 106 grams of product boiling over 78 (1, 35 grams butanol and 46 grams ethyl acetate ;'in addition there was produced in this period 68 grams acetaldehyde.

Ewomple II A catalyst was prepared of wood charcoal impregnated with manganese carbonate. 200 cc. of this charcoal wasplaced in a reaction tube, and-the whole heated to 450-460 C.

Ethyl alcohol vapor was circulated over this catalyst at a rate of about 120-280 grams per hour. At the end of 4 hours there had been 30 grams product boiling over 8 C. and grams butanol; at the same time therewasl obtained by condensation of the off gases,

Example III A- catalyst was prepared comprising zinc oxide on granulated wood charcoal. 150 cc. of this catalyst was placedin a reaction tube, and the whole heated to 440-450 G. Ethyl alcohol vapor was passed through this catalyst mass at a rate of about 120 grams per dehydrating or dehydrogenating action on ethyl alcohol, said catalyst being maintained above the temperature at which said normal action takes place.

2. Process for the production of reaction products from ethyl alcohol which comprises passing vaporized ethyl alcohol at a. temperature between 430-500 C. in contact with a non-metallic catalyst having a dehydrating or dehydrogenating action or ethyl alcohol below that temperature.

3. Process for the production of reaction products from eth 1 alcohol which comprises passing vapors o ethyl alcohol over a dehydrogenating acting non-metallic catalyst above the temperature at which chiefly acetal-' dehyde would be formed from the alcohol by said catalyst.

4. Process for the preparation of butanol from ethyl alcohol which comprises circulating vapors of ethyl alcohol over a dehydrogenating acting non-metallic catalyst above the tem erature at which chiefly acetaldehyde would he formed from the alcohol by said catalyst.

5. Process for the production of reaction products from eth 1 alcohol which comprises passing vapors oi ethyl alcohol over a dehydrogenating acting non-metallic catalyst at'a temperature above 430 C. below whlch chiefl acetaldehyde would be formed from the a cohol -bysaid catalyst. v

6. Process-for the preparation of butanol from ethyl alcohol which comprises circulating vapors of ethyl alcohol over a dehydrogenating acting non-metallic catalyst at a temperature above 430 C. below which chiefly acetaldehyde would be formed from the alcohol by said catalyst.

7. Process for the production of reaction products from ethyl alcohol which comprises 1 w I vapors of ethyl alcohol over a dehydrogenating acting non-metallic catalyst at a temperature between 430 C. and 500 C.

' below which chiefly acetaldehyde would be formed from the alcohol by said catalyst.

8. Process for the preparation of butanol from ethyl alcohol which comprises circulating vapors of ethyl alcohol over a dehydrogenating acting non-metallic catalyst at a temperature between 430 C. and 500 C. below which chiefly acetaldehyde would be formed from the alcohol by said catalyst.

9. Process for the production of reaction products from ethyl alcohol which comprises passing vapors'of ethyl alcohol over a catalyst comprlsing a manganese compound at a temperatur between 430 C. and 500 C. below which chiefly acetaldehyde would be formed from the alcohol b said catalyst.

10. Process for the preparation of butanol from ethyl alcohol which comprises circulating vapors of ethyl alcohol over a catalyst comprising a manganese compound at a temperature between 430 C. and 500 C. below which chiefly acetaldehyde would be formed from the alcohol by said catalyst.

11. Process for the production of reaction products from ethfyl alcohol which comprises gassing vapors o ethyl alcohol overa deydrogenating catalyst comprising manganese carbonate at a temperature between 430 C. and 500 C.

12. Process for the production of butanol from eth 1 alcohol which-comprises passing vapors o ethyl alcohol over a dehydrogenating acting catalyst comprising manganese carbonate at a temperature between 430 C.

and 500 C.

' WILLY O. HERRMANN.

' ERICH BAUM. 

